Swans' Guard
The Swans' Guard is a select group of Cragmere members engaged in the combat arts. Each member is an authorized fighter of one or more of the fighting disciplines, who owns and maintains their own equipment, and who is qualified to run a competition of their particular discipline. They are not formal officers of the Shire, but they encourage all the fighting arts, and provide an honour guard as needed. Guards are representatives of the Shire, and are expected to reflect the precepts of the Shire: Courtesy, Honour, Knowledge, and Delight.
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Swans' Guard In alphabetical order: (Captain) Muirgen (rapier) (Lieutenant) Elena de Stone (rapier) Asa Martel (rapier) Charles le Verdier (archer) Isadora Murillo (rapier) Kjartan kraka (heavy armour) - - - - |
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Requirements for a Swans' Guard
- Each must have and maintain current authorization.
- Each must be a resident of Cragmere.
- Each must maintain a chivalric code of conduct; i.e.: chivalry-representative of our Shire.
- Each must participate in the duty of maintaining the defense of the Shire.
- All Fighters Authorised in Cragmere are given the opportunity to join, and may petition to join (? in Cragmere may petition to join, and may be invited to join ?).
- Anyone from outside Cragmere may petition to join providing they meet previous requirements of authorization, code of conduct, and defense, and be acceptable to a majority of the current Swans' Guard.
- The Swans' Guard will chose from amongst themselves a captain, and a leutenant for each discipline, who will lead in battle and be responsible for order/discipline within the guard.
- Any Swans' Guard member who should have to leave residence of Cragmere, ordesires to step down at will, will ceremoniously return their cloak and be presented with the swans' favor.
- Any guard dismissed for misconduct must turn in their cloak immediately.
Swearing in of a Swans' Guard
By the Captain
Know that in troubled times there are those who stand as a bulwark before the tide.
You, (applicant's name), who have petitioned to join the Swans' Guard in full knowledge and understanding of what is asked of you; (do you) swear to stand in readiness to defend the shire of Cragmere against any foe and hold fast to the virtues of honor and chivalry
(applicant swears oath)
Stand as the newest member of the swans guard and let your strength support your comrades in arms as theirs will support you.
Welcome the new member to the guard! (witnesses cheer mightily)
Oath of a Swans' Guard
By accepting this cloak, I hereby pledge myself as a valorous defender of the noble Swans' Guard. I pledge my strength beside the strength of my comrades in arms in the defence of the grace and honour of the Shire of Cragmere. Together we pledge to uphold the ideals of chivalry, readiness, and virtue in all battles with our foes and hosting of our friends.
The concept was first created by Lord Asa Martel in 2006 CE. Isadora shopped for the fabric. Meredith and Anicia spent much time doing layout. Asa and Kjartan spent much time on pressing and sewing. Many hands worked on the couching. Weaving of trim was also shared out: Halima designed the tablet-weaving, and measured warp for the inkle trims; weaving by Anicia, Kjartan, Isadora, and others. The first cloaks were bestowed on March 10/07 CE. (As of October '07 we are still determining the place the Swans' Guard will hold within the shire.)
